Forklifts are common on worksites across Australia, especially in industries such as mining, construction, and transport. The PCBU (Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking) is responsible for providing a safe work environment on site, information, training, and general forklift safety.

In order to operate one, employees need a specific forklift licence, but there can be some confusion around whether an employee first needs to have a valid driver’s licence.

So, can you get a forklift licence without a driver’s licence?

How to become a licenced forklift driver

Generally speaking, you do not need a valid driver’s licence in order to get a forklift licence. In Australia, to drive a forklift you will need a High-Risk Work Licence (HRWL). To get one, you will need to undergo training and assessment with a WorkSafe assessor at a Registered Training Organisation. Some companies will offer employees the chance to undergo the training program and obtain this valuable skill and licence, but you can attain the licence yourself. To get a licence, the prerequisites are:  

  • You must be 18 years of age or older
  • You must have a good written and verbal knowledge of English (to take the course)
  • You must have valid identification (such as a birth certificate or passport)

Courses usually only take a couple of days. The resulting licence will last for five years and is valid in any state or territory in Australia.

Can you drive a forklift on the road?

While you do not need a driver’s licence to operate a forklift on a worksite, you do need one if you have to drive it on the road. By leaving a worksite and using the roads, it comes under the local road rules, which means that driving a forklift on the road requires a valid driver’s licence.